Rhode Island FC and Louisville City FC draw 0-0
SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (1-7-3, 10 pts.) and Louisville City FC (7-2-1, 21 pts.) battled to a scoreless draw on Saturday.
The match kicked off at 4:00 p.m. ET at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island to a crowd of 4,000.
STARTING XI vs Louisville City FC!#RIvLOU | #WickedGoodLineup pic.twitter.com/yRypXgL36C
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 25, 2024
The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Koke Vegas starting in the net with a backline of Gabriel Alves (left), Karifa Yao (center) and Frank Nodarse (right). The midfield consisted of Clay Holstad (left) Noah Fuson (left center mid), Jack Panayotou (central), Marc Ybarra (right center mid) and Stephen Turnbull (right). The forward roles were manned by Albert Dikwa (left) and JJ Williams (right).
Jojea Kwizera was replaced in the starting XI by Clay Holstad just moments before the start of the match.
Rhode Island had 2 players out due to injury. They included Grant Stoneman (Leg) and Amos Shapiro-Thompson (Knee).
Your #RIFC starting XI for today’s match Lou City FC.#WickedGoodSoccer | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/QH2LVzTKGY
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 25, 2024
The match kicked off with RIFC starting from the center circle. Jack Panayotou played it backwards and RIFC elected to build out of the back to begin the match.
Lousville City had the first chance of the match in the 6th minute when forward #7 Ray Serrano’s shot was deflected and saved by Koke Vegas.
RIFC’s first chance came in the 12th minute when JJ Williams headed effort off of a Jack Panayotou corner kick went wide of the post.
RIFC’s first major opportunity came in the 23rd minute when Noah Fuson’s shot struck the left post and was cleared.
In the 24th minute, RIFC defender Gabriel Alves was issued a yellow card for fouling forward #16 Adrien Perez.
Louisville’s next chance came in the 27th minute when forward #16 Adrien Perez’s long-range shot was saved by Koke Vegas.
RIFC had yet another chance in the 34th minute when Jack Panayotou’s shot went high over the crossbar.
Just before halftime, Louisville striker #7 Ray Serrano was issued a yellow card.
After the 45+3 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 0-0.
HALFTIME | All square at the break.#RIvLOU | 0-0 | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/wsSZ4LqqyE
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 25, 2024
Prior to the start of the second half, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing Gabriel Alves with Collin Smith.
The second half kicked off with Louisville starting from the center circle. They swiftly elected to launch the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.
In the 53rd minute, Louisville defender #4 Sean Totsch was issued a yellow card for fouling Clay Holstad
Just 2 minutes later, in the 55th minute, RIFC forward Albert Dikwa was issued a yellow card for fouling forward #14 Wilson Harris.
Another clean sheet for our captain Koke Vegas, his second of the season! pic.twitter.com/D7Dqs70Pzi
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 25, 2024
Just 2 minutes later, in the 57th minute, RIFC defender Collin Smith was issued a yellow card.
RIFC then had their first chance in the 59th minute when Jack Panayotou’s shot went just over the bar.
In the 61st minute, RIFC defender Karifa Yao was issued a yellow card for fouling forward #7 Ray Serrano.
Following the challenge, Louisville head coach Danny Cruzmade his first three changes of the match by replacing defender #32 Kyle Adams, midfielder #25 Jansen Wilson, and forward #16 Adrien Perez with defenders #3 Jake Morris, #6 Wesley Charpie and forward #21 Jorge Gonzalez.
Koke Vegas' quick reaction save earns your @CentrevilleBank Save of the Match!
Vegas finished the match with three saves and collected his second #RIFC clean sheet. pic.twitter.com/dLYwgdedph
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 25, 2024
Louisville thought they had gotten the 1-0 advantage in the 71st minute when forward #14 Wilson Harris’ buried it into the back of the net. However, Harris was clearly 5 yards offside.
In the 73rd minute, Louisville head coach Danny Cruz made his fourth change of the match by replacing forward #14 Wilson Harris with defender #20 Sam Gleadle.
Just one minute later, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second and third changes of the match by replacing Jack Panayotou and JJ Williams with Conor McGlynn and Mark Doyle.
RIFC’s last major chance came in the 81st minute when Mark Doyle’s effort went wide of the net.
In the 85th minute, Louisville head coach Danny Cruz made his fifth change of the match by replacing midfielder #17 Taylor Davilla with midfielder #11 Niall McCabe.
Just 2 minutes later, in the 87th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his fourth and final change of the match by replacing Noah Fuson with Isaac Angking.
In the 90+3rd minute, Louisville midfielder #23 Elijah Wydner was issued a yellow card.
After the 90+4 minutes, the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
FULL TIME | A hard-earned point at home. #RIvLOU | 0-0 | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/oMtNKso6ds
— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) May 25, 2024
With the result, RIFC remain slotted in 11th place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
That is RIFC’s 7th draw this season.
Rhode Island FC team logo. Image Courtesy of RIFC.
Rhode Island FC (1-7-3, 9 pts. in USL Championship) are away to Hartford, Connecticut to face Eastern Conference side Hartford Athletic (4-0-6, 12 pts.) at Trinity Health Stadium. The match kicks off on Saturday, June 1 at 7:00p.m. on ESPN+.